The title of biggest loser went to former senator Pramote Maiklad, who had earlier confirmed with media that Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had approached him to take the post of agriculture minister.

Given his experience as director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department and his works in many royal projects, Pramote was considered the person most suited for the job. That is until Thira Sutabutra broke Pramote's heart by being appointed to the post.

Pramote, who surprised the public by receiving over 500,000 votes in the 2000 Senate election - more than any other candidate - consistently disappointed the public during his six years in office and never gave the outstanding performance that was expected of him. He was also thought to be too neutral in scrutinising the ousted government.

Another despairing candidate on Sunday was former deputy transport minister Chaiyanan Charoensiri. Although he never commented publicly, Chaiyanan was expected to be appointed transport minister where he would oversee the running of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

There were two reasons for this. The first was that Chaiyanan had been in charge of the new airport project in the Thaksin government. The second was that he is close to Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

However, former Navy Chief Adm Theera Haocharoen was granted the post in the end.

Recently retired Transport Ministry deputy permanent-secretary, Khamroblak Surasawadi, had been named last week as the uncontested candidate for the roles of Deputy Transport Minister and Minister for the PM's office. Yet, having reportedly boasted to Transport Ministry officials last week that he would soon be their minister, Khamroblak walked away empty handed.

Former chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, Thawee Butrsunthorn, was also left jobless on Sunday night. He had been named as a potential industry and transportation minister but in the end received nothing.

Like Thawee, Ajva Taulananda, the honourable chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, was also left off the new Cabinet list. He had been tipped as the leading contender for either industry or agriculture minister.

Former deputy Army chief General Vichit Yathip, a career soldier with close personal ties to former premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, was thought likely to be made deputy interior minister but somehow missed out.

Two experts who last week were considered shoo-ins were also excluded from the new Cabinet list. Pairat Tatchyapong, director of the National Science and Technology Development Agency, and Lae Dilokwittayarat, a labour expert at Chulalongkorn University, were not named on Sunday night.

Two other big names will continue to hold their current posts. Supachai Panitchpakdi, former director of the World Trade Organisation, will not have to resign as secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Staying on as president of the Supreme Administrative Court and present deputy-chairman of the Constitutional Court is Ackaratorn Chularat, who has yet to rule one of the most important cases in Thai politics: the dissolution of political parties, which could further change the Kingdom's political landscape.

Jintana Panyaarvudh

The Nation